NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 07: Stefanie Dolson #31 of the Connecticut Huskies looks to shoot over Natalie Achonwa #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Semifinal game of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at New Orleans Arena on April 7, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 07: Stefanie Dolson #31 of the Connecticut...

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 07: Stefanie Dolson #31 of the Connecticut Huskies shoots against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the National Semifinal game of the 2013 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at New Orleans Arena on April 7, 2013 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 07: Stefanie Dolson #31 of the Connecticut...

Connecticut center Stefanie Dolson cheers from the bench in the second half of a women's NCAA regional final basketball game against Kentucky in Bridgeport, Conn., Monday, April 1, 2013. Connecticut won 83-53 and advances to the Final Four. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Photo: Charles Krupa, Associated Press

STORRS -- Senior All-American center Stefanie Dolson proved her toughness to the nation last season during UConn's pursuit of an NCAA record-tying eighth national championship. Hobbled by a stress fracture in a non-weight-bearing bone in her right ankle and plantar fasciitis in her left foot, she started all six tournament games and averaged 24.3 minutes.

With a championship within reach, the decision to persevere was an easy one for Dolson. However, the decision to give up the game for several months following the season was not as easy.

Dolson understood that she needed rest. Downtime represented a true remedy for her ailments. But the longer she was inactive, the more difficult it became.

"At first I was like, `Oh, I'll get rest and my body will feel great,"' Dolson said. "After the first few weeks, a month, whatever, I was just like, `I need to go out and play.' And I actually did. There was one time I went and played. I just wanted to see how I felt and after that I was like, `No, I have to let it rest.'

"It was tough. I tried shooting around with the boot on, but that didn't really work out easily."

Dolson had an air cast on her right foot for about three months. She wore a walking boot on her left foot until mid-June.

During her internship at SNY this summer, Dolson was forced to walk around New York City with the boot on. That was an experience she will not forget.

"Being in the city with a boot is terrible," Dolson said. "Don't ever do it. It was so awful."

As difficult as it was for Dolson to rest, she is now reaping the benefits. She is back to full strength, competing in pick-up games and individual workouts.

Her first individual workout was Sept. 3. Practice will officially begin Oct. 19.

"Everything's 100 percent," Dolson said. "It feels good to kind of be back in the swing of things and have our schedule."

Dolson had a breakout season a year ago, averaging 13.6 points, a team-high 7.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks and 26.8 minutes in 38 games. She established career-highs in every category and finished second in the nation in field-goal percentage (.593).

Dolson was named to the 10-player WBCA All-America team, and she was a third-team All-American by The Associated Press. She also averaged 9.0 points, a team-high 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 blocks in the NCAA tournament, and she had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals in 26 minutes against Louisville in the championship game.

"It was hard for her not to get emotional about (her injuries) or be disappointed because she had such a high expectation of herself every game and every practice," UConn associate head coach Chris Dailey said. "So I think that was hard for her. But winning it certainly makes it a lot nicer."

The Huskies will be the favorite to repeat as national champions. And it is expected that Dolson will play a significant role in their quest.

"I've been trying to wear more sneakers and better supported shoes so that it doesn't happen again," Dolson said. "It doesn't really go with my outfits that I wear, but I try to work with it. Switch it up a little bit."